“Led to believe”: Sky reporter claims Arsenal were messed around in £25m deadline day pursuit

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According to Kaveh Solhekol, Arsenal were misled by Aston Villa as they attempted to sign Douglas Luiz on transfer deadline day.

What’s the story?

Well, the Gunners made three bids for the Brazil international yesterday, seeing offers worth £20m, £23m and then £25m rejected by the Villans.

However, if Solhekol is to be trusted, Arsenal would not have expected to make the other two bids, as they were “led to believe” that £20m would be enough to secure Douglas Luiz.

The Sky Sports reporter said: “Some people involved in the negotiations were a little bemused, they were led to believe towards the end of last week, if somebody came in with a £20m offer, then the player would be allowed to leave.”

In our view, Aston Villa should have accepted the £25m offer from Arsenal.

That is very good money for a player who has already entered the final 12 months of his contract at Villa Park, especially one who is currently out of the starting XI.

Steven Gerrard has only handed the South American one start in the Premier League so far this season.

Furthermore, it was said that Douglas Luiz wanted to join Arsenal, so now Aston Villa are stuck with an unsettled player.

Arsenal needed Douglas Luiz alternative

After finding out that £20m wouldn’t be enough to sign Douglas Luiz, Arsenal should have sensed that dealing with Aston Villa was going to be difficult.

Therefore, an alternative option was needed, or else Aston Villa held all the power in negotiations.

A deal for Youri Tielemans supposedly could have been done for £25m on deadline day, but Arsenal failed to firm up their initial interest and the Belgian started for Leicester against Manchester United as we approached the 11pm deadline.

Arthur – a target for Mikel Arteta and Edu in January – was also available on loan, but Liverpool swooped in.

Hopefully, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey can return to full fitness soon, or else Arsenal’s failure to sign a new midfielder could bite them on the backside.